Abram renamed Abraham by God
Jacob renamed Israel by God
Sarai renamed Sarah by God
Simon renamed Peter by God
Above are names of people who God renamed in biblical times. We see other people in the bible who are named by other people, depending on acts they committed or curses upon their bloodlines, etc. But have you ever thought of the name that God calls you? Of course we can think of the cliches like chosen, daughter/son, redeemed, royalty, the list goes on and on. But I'm talking about a real name change here. It would be like me going from Caity to some new name. A friend and I were discussing how cool it would be to be renamed by God when you start a relationship with Him. So I decided to dig deeper and began to pray about it.
I've been a Christian all of my life and now, at the age of almost 22, I heard a new name the other day while talking to God about how He sees me and WHO He sees me as. "Baby." When I first heard it I was confused. Isn't "baby" a term that people use for their significant other? It's such a romantic term, so I get that part, but it caused me to ask why. I know we're the bride of Christ and God is MADLY in love with me but why would He choose to call me "baby" when there are so many other names that He could've given me? Here's why. When parents love their baby and take care of her, does the baby question why? No! Why? Because she trusts them without needing to fully know what's going on. She doesn't quite have the full capability (because she's a baby,) BUT that doesn't mean she won't understand some day. Things will be revealed as time goes on, but only in the timing that her parents choose is perfect timing. She knows they love her and that's enough. She is also in the stages of learning so many new things. She is developing skills that will help her literally last her lifetime. When she does something that will hurt her, her parents correct her, love on her, then help her learn to move forward so that she doesn't hurt herself again. But, no matter what, they'll always be there to love her. After a little chit chat with God this was all revealed to me, and I started to understand. Understanding the Father's character towards me helps make total sense as to why He would choose to call me baby. If I can see myself as His baby, completely and utterly loved no matter what, and developing continuously while He helps shape and mold my capabilities, then I know I will be living in a place of kingdom mindedness.
Besides all the cliches, which are SO good by the way, I would encourage you to step out and ask God what name He would like to give you. Then, dive deeper and ask Him why. He so loves you and made you uniquely you. With all the things going on in the world that try to steal your identity and tell you who you aren't, you have a loving Father who longs to tell you who you ARE and Whose you are. You just need to ask.
Jacob renamed Israel by God
Sarai renamed Sarah by God
Simon renamed Peter by God
Above are names of people who God renamed in biblical times. We see other people in the bible who are named by other people, depending on acts they committed or curses upon their bloodlines, etc. But have you ever thought of the name that God calls you? Of course we can think of the cliches like chosen, daughter/son, redeemed, royalty, the list goes on and on. But I'm talking about a real name change here. It would be like me going from Caity to some new name. A friend and I were discussing how cool it would be to be renamed by God when you start a relationship with Him. So I decided to dig deeper and began to pray about it.
I've been a Christian all of my life and now, at the age of almost 22, I heard a new name the other day while talking to God about how He sees me and WHO He sees me as. "Baby." When I first heard it I was confused. Isn't "baby" a term that people use for their significant other? It's such a romantic term, so I get that part, but it caused me to ask why. I know we're the bride of Christ and God is MADLY in love with me but why would He choose to call me "baby" when there are so many other names that He could've given me? Here's why. When parents love their baby and take care of her, does the baby question why? No! Why? Because she trusts them without needing to fully know what's going on. She doesn't quite have the full capability (because she's a baby,) BUT that doesn't mean she won't understand some day. Things will be revealed as time goes on, but only in the timing that her parents choose is perfect timing. She knows they love her and that's enough. She is also in the stages of learning so many new things. She is developing skills that will help her literally last her lifetime. When she does something that will hurt her, her parents correct her, love on her, then help her learn to move forward so that she doesn't hurt herself again. But, no matter what, they'll always be there to love her. After a little chit chat with God this was all revealed to me, and I started to understand. Understanding the Father's character towards me helps make total sense as to why He would choose to call me baby. If I can see myself as His baby, completely and utterly loved no matter what, and developing continuously while He helps shape and mold my capabilities, then I know I will be living in a place of kingdom mindedness.
Besides all the cliches, which are SO good by the way, I would encourage you to step out and ask God what name He would like to give you. Then, dive deeper and ask Him why. He so loves you and made you uniquely you. With all the things going on in the world that try to steal your identity and tell you who you aren't, you have a loving Father who longs to tell you who you ARE and Whose you are. You just need to ask.